Herbs are a great way to make a dish both taste and look more appetising. The cheapest and most sustainable way to add these ingredients to your meals is to grow your own herbs. It’s also a great, family-friendly activity! Here we will share top tips for how to grow herbs at home and how best to look after your fine-smelling plants.
Which herbs are easiest to grow indoors?
If you’re going to start growing herbs indoors, there are a few top choices which are easy to grow and best for a variety of meals. These include:
- Basil
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Rosemary
When you are starting out, choose one or two herbs that you are likely to use the most in your cooking and use the tips below to ensure you get the best results.
Top tips for creating the perfect windowsill herb garden
To grow your own herbs, there are a few tips and tricks to help you make your herb garden flourish:
- If you don’t have the patience for seeds or you’re in need of quicker results, you can purchase herb seedlings which you can re-pot and continue growing at home.
- Use the best soil you can find – organic and peat-free options will work best.
- Reuse what you have to grow your herbs, rather than purchasing new pots. Some ideas for eco-friendly plant pots include:
- Reusing old containers like empty Flora spread pots
- Using biodegradable sprout pots
- Using toilet roll cardboard for seedlings by folding over the bottom to create a base
- When you’re growing herbs in pots, make sure that there are drainage holes in the base of the pot to prevent the herbs getting waterlogged.
- Keep your herbs well-watered. You should be watering them every day. On hotter days (for example in the summer) do this in the cooler evenings rather than during the day when it is hottest.
- Make sure that your herbs are situated on a windowsill where they will get plenty of sunlight.
- Prune your herbs regularly as this will prevent them from flowering, which will affect the quality of the leaves you use in your meals.
- Give your herbs plenty of space to breathe, whether they each have their own pot, or you ensure there is a large space between the planting of each in a large shared pot.
With these easy tips on growing herbs indoors, you can be sure to have a cheap and sustainable way to add both flavour and flair to your meals!